God and Dog

“I look up and I see God; I look down and see my Dog. God thought up and made the dog, dog reflects a part of God.”—W.J. Francisco

Many years ago, when I had my first rescued dog, Baby Bear, there was a day when I lost patience. I was tired, he was doing something that in my human world was not acceptable. So I yelled, "No!" loudly and with anger and pulled on his collar harshly.

He stopped cold; looked at me as if it was something he’d never seen before. The expression on his face was one of shock and confusion. I was devastated at the anger in my voice and the hurt in his eyes. The moment froze and I knew I had gone beyond the pale.

The thing he was doing was something I’d never taught him not to do so I was wrong to criticize him so harshly. His eyes taught me this lesson. I got on my knees and hugged Baby Bear and asked for forgiveness. Much like I would ask God to forgive me for a transgression.

Forgiveness comes so naturally with dogs as it does with God. Baby Bear’s eyes softened and he leaned his big furry body into mine as if to comfort me.

Unconditional love is usually defined as the thing you feel for another regardless of who they are, their actions or beliefs. It is the greatest power in this universe; the thing that every living being craves and needs. It heals all wounds, inspires us to go forward through whatever obstacles are put in our way.

For us humans, unconditional love isn’t simple. We easily fall into the trap of pre-judgment and selfish expectation. But for God and Dog, this kind of love comes naturally.

They are the two absolutely certain places to find unconditional love. Both God and Dog accept us as we are and love us no matter what.

Maybe that’s why God and Dog are the same spelling. Like two sides of one coin, or two wings of the same butterfly.

Check out Unconditional Love by Avie Townsend. You can read some of the stories in this book online at this website.

Also, visit this site to enjoy a beautiful homemade video about God and Dog.

Send in a photo and prayer for your pet!
 
Sharon Azar is an assistant to the editorial staff at GUIDEPOSTS. In her spare time, she rescues dogs and does portraits of furry, feathered and scaled companion animals. She lives in Brooklyn, NY.

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